Typhoon Saola unleashed its fury as it made landfall in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, wreaking havoc with violent winds that battered nearby Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau. This powerful typhoon, packing winds of over 200 kph (125 mph) as a super typhoon, marked one of the strongest threats to the southern province since 1949. While it weakened slightly upon landfall in Zhuhai city, with winds slowing to around 160 kph, Saola left a trail of destruction, flooding, and disruption in its wake.
In anticipation of the impending storm, Hong Kong and Guangdong had canceled hundreds of flights, shuttered businesses, schools, and financial markets. The Asian financial hub of Hong Kong had imposed its highest hurricane storm signal 10, lowering it to 8 by Saturday morning. The city’s observatory continued to issue warnings as heavy rain and flooding persisted.
The consequences of Saola’s wrath were evident in the aftermath. Fallen trees cluttered roads, especially in the exposed outlying islands, and many building signs had been blown off. A large window was blown out of an office building in the Tseung Kwan O district, adding to the damage.
In Hong Kong, over 300 people found themselves stranded at the airport due to flight cancellations, with flagship carrier Cathay Pacific announcing the resumption of flights from noon on Saturday after a suspension since Friday afternoon.
Macau, the world’s largest gambling center, also bore the brunt of Saola, leading to the temporary closure of casinos. Meanwhile, in Shenzhen, one person tragically lost their life when a tree fell and struck their vehicle.
Despite Saola’s weakening, Chinese authorities warned that the typhoon continued to affect the region as it headed towards Taiwan’s eastern coast. Taiwan, anticipating the arrival of Typhoon Haikui, took precautions, with airlines canceling all flights for Sunday, and the government urging people to stay away from beaches and mountainous areas.
As the affected regions grapple with the aftermath of Typhoon Saola, their resilience and readiness are being put to the test, reminding us of nature’s formidable power and the importance ofTyphoon Saola Ravages Southern China, Leaving Destruction in Its Wake.
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